The Queen returns these letters, with her best thanks. The settlement of the Oregon question has given us the greatest satisfaction. It does seem strange that at the moment of triumph the Government should have to resign. The Queen read Sir Robert Peel"s speech with great admiration. The Queen seizes this opportunity (though she will see Sir Robert again) of expressing her _deep_ concern at losing his services, which she regrets as much for the Country as for herself and the Prince. In whatever position Sir Robert Peel may be, we shall ever look on him as a kind and true friend, and ever have the greatest esteem and regard for him as a Minister and as a private individual.
The Queen will not say anything about what pa.s.sed at Lord John Russell"s interview, as the Prince has already written to Sir Robert.
She does not think, however, that he mentioned the wish Lord John expressed that Lord Liverpool should retain his office, which however (much as we should personally like it) we think he would not do.
What does Sir Robert hear of the Protectionists, and what do his own followers say to the state of affairs?
[Pageheading: WHIG JEALOUSIES]
_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th July 1846._
Yesterday the new Ministry were installed at a Privy Council, and the Seals of Office transferred to them. We had a long conversation with Sir Robert Peel, who took leave. I mentioned to him that his word of "Richard Cobden" had created an immense sensation, but he was not inclined to enter upon the subject. When we begged him to do nothing which could widen the breach between him and his party, he said, "I don"t think that we can ever get together again." He repeated that he was anxious not to undertake a Government again, that his health would not stand it, that it was better likewise for the Queen"s service that other, younger men should be brought forward. Sir Robert, Lord Aberdeen, and Sir James Graham parted with great emotion, and had tears in their eyes when they thanked the Queen for her confidence and support. Lord Aberdeen means to have an interview with Lord Palmerston, and says that when he (Lord A.) came into office, Lord Palmerston and the _Chronicle_ a.s.sailed him most bitterly as an imbecile Minister, a traitor to his country, etc., etc. He means now to show Lord P. the contrast by declaring his readiness to a.s.sist him in every way he can by his advice, that he would at all times speak to him as if he was his colleague if he wished it.
The new Court is nearly completed, and we have succeeded in obtaining a very respectable and proper one, notwithstanding the run which the Party made upon it which had been formerly used to settle these matters, to _their_ liking only. The Government is not a united one, however, by any means. Mr Wood and Lord Clarendon take the greatest credit in having induced Lord Grey to join the Government,[16] and are responsible to Lord John to keep him quiet, which they think they will be able to do, as he had been convinced of the folly of his former line of conduct. Still, they say Lord Lansdowne will have the lead only nominally, that Lord Grey is to take it really in the House of Lords. There is the _Grey Party_, consisting of Lord Grey, Lord Clarendon, Sir George Grey, and Mr Wood; they are against Lord Lansdowne, Lord Minto, Lord Auckland, and Sir John Hobhouse, stigmatising them as old women. Lord John leans entirely to the last-named gentlemen. There is no cordiality between Lord John and Lord Palmerston, who, if he had to make a choice, would even forget what pa.s.sed in December last, and join the Grey Party in preference to Lord John personally. The curious part of all this is that they cannot keep a secret, and speak of all their differences. They got the _Times_ over by giving it exclusive information, and the leading articles are sent in and praise the new Cabinet, but the wicked paper added immediately a furious attack upon Sir John Hobhouse, which alarmed them so much that they sent to Sir John, sounding him, whether he would be hereafter prepared to relinquish the Board of Control.
(This, however, is a mere personal matter of Mr Walter, who stood against Sir John at Nottingham in 1841 and was unseated.) Sir John Easthope, the proprietor of the _Morning Chronicle_, complains bitterly of the subserviency to the _Times_ and treason to him. He says he knows that the information was sent from Lord John"s house, and threatens revenge. "If you will be ruled by the _Times_," he said to one of the Cabinet, "the _Times_ has shown you already by a specimen that you will be ruled by a rod of iron."
[Footnote 16: In spite of the opposition of the latter to Palmerston"s re-appointment to the Foreign Office. See _ante_, p. 60.]
A Brevet for the Army and Navy is proposed, in order to satisfy Lord Anglesey with the dignity of Field-Marshal.
ALBERT.
The Protectionists, 150 strong, including Peers and M.P."s, are to give a dinner to Lord Stanley at Greenwich, at which he is to announce his opinions upon the line they are to take. Lord George Bentinck is there to lay down the lead which the Party insisted upon. Who is to follow him as their leader in the Commons n.o.body knows.
[Pageheading: A WEAK GOVERNMENT]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th July 1846._
MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have to thank you for your kind letter of the 3rd. It arrived yesterday, which was a very hard day for me. I had to part with Sir R. Peel and Lord Aberdeen, who are irreparable losses to us and the Country; they were both so much overcome that it quite overset me, and we have in them two devoted friends. We felt so safe with them. Never, during the five years that they were with me, did they _ever_ recommend a _person_ or a thing which was not for my or the Country"s best, and never for the Party"s advantage only; and the contrast _now_ is very striking; there is much less respect and much less high and pure feeling. Then the discretion of Peel, I believe, is unexampled.
Stockmar has, I know, explained to you the state of affairs, which is unexampled, and I think the present Government _very_ weak and extremely disunited. What may appear to you as a mistake in November was an inevitable evil. Aberdeen very truly explained it yesterday.
"We had ill luck," he said; "if it had not been for this famine in Ireland, which rendered immediate measures necessary, Sir Robert would have prepared them gradually for the change." Then, besides, the Corn Law Agitation was such that if Peel had not wisely made this change (for which the _whole_ Country blesses him), a convulsion would shortly have taken place, and we should have been _forced_ to yield what has been granted as a boon. No doubt the breaking up of the Party (which _will_ come together again, whether under Peel or some one else) is a very distressing thing. The only thing to be regretted, and I do not know exactly _why_ he did it (though we _can_ guess), was his praise of _Cobden_, which has shocked people a good deal.
But I can"t tell you how sad I am to lose Aberdeen; you can"t think what a delightful companion he was; the breaking up of all this intercourse during our journeys, etc., is deplorable.
We have contrived to get a _very_ respectable Court.
Albert"s use to me, and I may say to the _Country_, by his firmness and sagacity, is beyond all belief in these moments of trial.
We are all well, but I am, of course, a good deal overset by all these tribulations.
Ever your devoted Niece,
VICTORIA R.
I was much touched to see Graham so very much overcome at taking leave of us.
[Pageheading: THE QUEEN"S ANXIETY]
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _8th July 1846._
The Queen thanks Lord Hardinge for his interesting communications.
Lord Hardinge will have learnt all that has taken place in the Country; one of the most brilliant Governments this Country ever had has fallen at the moment of victory! The Queen has now, besides mourning over this event, the anxiety of having to see the Government carried on as efficiently as possible, for the welfare of the Country.
The Queen would find a guarantee for the accomplishment of this object in Lord Hardinge"s consenting to continue at the head of the Government of India, where great experiments have been made which require unity of purpose and system to be carried out successfully.
_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
OSBORNE, _10th July 1846._
... The Queen approves of the pensions proposed by Lord J. Russell, though she cannot conceal from him that she thinks the one to Father Mathew a doubtful proceeding. It is quite true that he has done much good by preaching temperance, but by the aid of superst.i.tion, which can hardly be patronised by the Crown.[17]
The Queen is sure that Lord John will like her at all times to speak out her mind, and has, therefore, done so without reserve.
[Footnote 17: The pension was, however, granted.]
[Pageheading: THE FRENCH ROYAL FAMILY]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
OSBORNE, _14th July 1846._
MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We are very happily established here since Thursday, and have beautiful weather for this truly enjoyable place; we drive, walk, and sit out--and the nights are so fine. I long for you to be here. It has quite restored my spirits, which were much shaken by the sad leave-takings in London--of Sir R. Peel, Lord Aberdeen, Lord Liverpool, etc. Lord L. could _not well_ have stayed.
Lord Aberdeen was very much overset.
The present Government is weak, and I think Lord J. does not possess the talent of keeping his people together. Most people think, however, that they will get through this Session; the only question of difficulty is the _sugar_ question.